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IRON MAIDEN's Japanese Shows Canceled

Due to damages caused by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that shook Japan early Friday morning left more than a thousand killed and many more missing, British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN were forced to cancel all of their previously announced shows in Japan.

IRON MAIDEN's Japanese promoter Creativeman has issued the following statement regarding the band's Tokyo shows this weekend:

"Following the cancelation of Saturday, March 12 show, IRON MAIDEN's show scheduled at Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 13 is now canceled as well, due to obvious safety concerns towards the audience, the artist, and the venue, caused by the earthquake of Friday, March 11. Your ticket for Sunday, March 13 will be refunded. Please contact Creativeman after Monday, March 14 on the refund process. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. TEL: 03-3462-6969 (12pm-6pm weekdays)."

The members of IRON MAIDEN and their crew were flying into Tokyo from Seoul, South Korea following their show there. On approaching Narita airport in Tokyo, IRON MAIDEN's specially chartered plane Ed Force One was advised to re-route to Nagoya as the earthquake/tsunami had just become apparent. The bandmembers stayed the night in Nagoya and following the announcement of the cancelation are preparing to fly out of the country.

IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris has released the following message on behalf of the band to the band's fans in Japan and all who have been affected by this terrible disaster:

"We are extremely saddened by the calamitous events of the last day or so which led to the cancelation or our two shows in Tokyo.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected by this disaster — our fans in Japan, the people of Japan and those in many other places suffering from the tsunami. We are also aware that a number of fans flew into Tokyo from various parts of the world to see a MAIDEN show there and we hope you guys are safe and sound.

"We have had a long relationship with this wonderful country and have always been made to feel most welcome — this would have been something like our 16th tour.

"Our sincerest condolences to all those who have suffered and to the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives."

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